these lonely walks, you should have looked,
The venerable ghost of our first foundress
Should, with spread arms, have met you in her shroud,
And frighted you from sin.

_Luc._ Alas! you need not aggravate our crimes;
We know them to be great beyond excuse,
And have no hope, but only from your mercy.

_Lau._ Love is, indeed, no plea within these walls;
But, since we brought it hither, and were forced,
Not led by our own choice, to this strict life--

_Vio._ Too hard for our soft youth, and bands of love,
Which we before had knit--

_Lau._ Pity your blood,
Which runs within our veins; and since heav'n puts it
In your sole power to ruin or to save,
Protect us from the sordid avarice
Of our domestic tyrant, who deserves not
That we should call him uncle, or your brother.

_Soph._ If, as I might, with justice I should punish,
No penance could be rigorous enough;
But I am willing to be more indulgent.
None of you are professed: And, since I see
You are not fit for higher happiness,
You may have what you think the world can give you.

_Luc._ Let us adore you, madam!

_Soph._ You, Lucretia,
I shall advise within.

_Vio._ But for us, madam?

_Soph._ For you, dear nieces, I have long considered
The injuries you suffer from my brother,
And I rejoice it is in me to help you:
I will endeavour, from this very hour,
To put you both into your lovers' hands,
Who, by your own confession, have deserved you;
But so as (though 'tis done by my connivance)
It shall not seem to be with my consent.

_Lau._ You do an act of noble charity,
And may just heaven reward it!

_Enter_ HIPPOLITA, _and whispers_ LUCRETIA.

_Soph._ Oh, you're a faithful portress of a cloister!
What is't you whisper to Lucretia?
On your obedience tell me.

_Luc._ Since you must know, madam,
I have received a courtship from the prince
Of Mantua. The rest Hippolita may speak.

_Hip._ His page, Ascanio, is at the grate,
To know, from him, how you had scaped this danger;
And brings with him those habits--

_Soph._ I find that here has been a long commerce. What habits?

_Luc._ I blush to tell you, madam; they were masking habits, in which
we went abroad.

_Soph._ O strange impiety! Well, I conclude
You are no longer for religious clothing;
You would infect our order.

_Luc._ [_Kneeling._] Madam, you promised us forgiveness.

_Soph._ I have done; for 'tis indeed too late to chide.

_Hip._ With Ascanio there are two gentlemen; Aurelian an